Breathing slowly, she spoke, "I know who killed your father."
Draco turned to look at Hermione, "Is this why you've been acting weird? Why you ran away? You didn't want to tell me?"
Hermione nodded and began to speak, "Draco, the person who killed your father,"
"- No Hermione, I do not want to hear another word of this nonsense. We are no longer discussing this," Draco interjected.
Hermione's face sank as she nodded to him. She needed to tell Draco the truth, but he was in no mood to listen.
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"Did you tell him?" Harry asked while Hermione shook her head.
'He needs to know, when he came to the burrow I nearly told him myself," Harry continued.
Hermione sighed, "I know Harry. I know he does. I tried to tell him the other night and he completely shut me down. I've made two attempts since and he completely ignores me. He's hurting and I do not want to make it worse. I know he says that his father's death is inconsequential to him, but you and I both know that losing a parent is never easy.
When I lost my mom last year, I never thought I would be able to breathe again and she passed of natural causes. Draco's father was murdered. You would think he would want to know who killed him and gain some closure."
Harry looked at her then, "Hermione, have you ever considered that maybe it's best if he doesn't know? After all, murder is not something that is easily forgivable."
Hermione nodded, "I know the consequences Harry and Draco still has a right to know. He may never forgive me after I tell him, but he still deserves to know."
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Draco looked at Hermione sleeping peacefully. He brushed a curl back from her forehead and placed a kiss there. His mind flashing to the last time he spoke with his father.
"Father, I don't care what you think. I love Hermione and I am going to be with her. I had hoped that you would support me in this, however, I can see that won't be the case. I am going to get the rings Mother promised me and I will be asking Hermione to marry me. I love you. I hope you can get over this foolishness and attend the wedding."
Draco's mind then flashed to his father's death. He was coming to visit his mother and hopefully find that his father had been working on his prejudices. He entered the manor and that's when he saw Hermione laying on the floor. Blood surrounding her, Lucius hovering over her with his foot on her throat. Draco prepared to rush to Hermione's side. No sooner had he taken a step when he heard the unforgivable curse slip out of her lips, barely a whisper. He froze for only a second, as he felt something heavy strike him in the back of the head. Draco fell to the ground as his world went black.
Replaying the memories, Draco continued brushing a sleeping Hermione's face. She had never mentioned that encounter with his father, or how she even came to be at the manor that day. Likewise, Draco had never told Hermione that he had known all along that she was responsible for his father's death.
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Hermione awoke startled, she was having nightmares again. She turned to find an empty bed. She pulled herself out of bed, casting a quick bed-making charm as she did. Hermione wandered through the empty house in search of Draco. She saw Draco had left her a note.
Hermione,
I am going back to the Manor to visit my mother and take care of my father's affairs. It seems that he did not quite have everything in order. If you would like - I would fancy you joining me,.
You know where the floo is.
Forever yours,
Draco
Hermione bit her lip as she placed the note back on the table. She wasn't sure if she could go back to the manor. She had to be brave, for Draco, and this could be her one opportunity to tell him. Gathering her Gryffindor courage, she went upstairs to pack a bag for the trip.